‘Smelliest site in Doncaster’ set to be removed

smellest place in Doncaster View from Phil Mertens house, in the summer the smell is so bad that they have to finish BBQs early or not have them at all. They don't like to open the windows or put washing out on the line. Resisdents are concerned the smell and size of the tip could cause the house prices to drop. Picture L>R Phil Merten, Malcollm High, Nick Balliger, Yvonne Wilmot.

Published:07:33Wednesday 18 November 2015

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Owners of the ‘smelliest site in Doncaster’ have been ordered to remove a huge pile of waste after planning permission to keep it there was refused.

The Hazel Lane landfill site in Hampole was the subject of the most complaints over unpleasant odours in the whole of the borough for 2013 and the first nine months of 2014.

Catplant (Quarry) Ltd sought retrospective planning permission from Doncaster Council’s planning committee for the stockpile, which weighs between 23,000 and 40,000 tonnes. But the application was rejected after councillors raised concerns about the hazardous nature of the waste. The Hazel Lane site has been a source of concern for residents for around five years.

It began to be used for storing a product called Sterefibre – a material which was produced by a firm called Sterecycle through a process for reducing waste.

A Government planning inspector decided the use of the Hazel Lane Quarry was not appropriate for storing the waste because it was on greenbelt land – but it is still there because there is nowhere else for it to go.

“Members of the planning committee went to visit the site in 2014 and noted the terrible odour for themselves. I support the recommendation for the application to be refused.”

Agent Chris Ballam assured the committee that if the application was approved, 40 per cent of the waste would be removed in six years – but the pledge did not ease councillors concerns.

Committee vice-chairman Coun Dave Shaw said: “This has been going on for years, it is obvious that nobody wants it and trying to buy more time so you can try to find another site for it to go to is ridiculous.”

And committee chairman Coun Iris Beech added: “I have been to visit the site and I saw a twisted toothbrush and batteries in the heap of rubbish. Another six years is not going to solve the problem.”